RoadVitals

2006 Chevrolet C4500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Mar 2, 2013
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Jul 28, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet C4500, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 147 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine342.9%
  • Brakes114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Interior & seats114.3%
  • Other / unspecified114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

TRAILER HITCHES

Jul 28, 2008
108 units potentially affected
The defect: KNAPHEIDE IS RECALLING 108 MY 2006-2008 PRO SERIES TRUCK BEDS EQUIPPED WITH AN ICC BUMPER WHICH INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR A BALL HITCH. THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT WELD ATTACHING THE HITCH CHANNEL TO THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN BENDING OF THE HITCH CHANNEL OR THE HITCH COULD BE PULLED OFF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: KNAPHEIDE WILL OFFER TWO REMEDIES TO ITS CUSTOMERS: (1) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO DO NOT USE THE HITCH, THE HITCH WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK BED AND REPLACED WITH AN ICC BUMPER; OR (2) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO NEED A HITCH, A RECEIVER HITCH ASSEMBLY WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING HITCH ASSEMBLY AND ALL SUSPECT WELD JOINTS WILL BE RE WELDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KNAPHEIDE AT 1-877-473-5763.
KNAPHEIDE MANUFACTURING COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Jan 7, 2008
250 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN INTERMOTIVE WHEELCHAIR LIFT INTERLOCK, P/NO. ILIS605-H3 ILIS ACTIVATION KIT (INTERLOCK OPTION FOR GATEWAY 401) SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET FOR 2005 - 2008 CHEVY 560 (C4500 AND C5500 KODIAK) 6.6L DIESEL VEHICLES WHICH A PROTECTION DIODE WAS USED. THE DIODE CAN BE EXPOSED TO VOLTAGE SPIKES GREATER THAN WHAT IT CAN WITHSTAND. THE DIODE COULD FAIL, WHICH COULD PREVENT VEHICLE INTERLOCK OPERATION WHEN A WHEELCHAIR LIFT IS DEPLOYED.
The risk: SHOULD THE DIODE FAIL, IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE WHEELCHAIR DEPLOYED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO ANYONE USING THE LIFT.
The remedy: INTERMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT INTERMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-969-6080. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET INTERMOTIVE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON CHEVRLOT AND GMC VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS.
INTERMOTIVE VEHICLE CONTROLSManufacturer number ONP2007-02View on NHTSA.gov

SUSPENSION

Oct 16, 2007
367 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN LINK ULTRARIDE REAR AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS, MODEL 8M000070, SOLD FOR INSTALLATION AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT ON GM CHASSIS MODELS 4500 AND 5500, AMBULANCES AND SHUTTLE BUSES. THE AXLE SIDE LATERAL CONTROL BRACKET OF THE SUSPENSION HAS CRACKED IN SOME CASES.
The risk: IF THE LATERAL CONTROL ROD BRACKET FRACTURES, THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
The remedy: LINK WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE REPAIR KITS FREE OF CHARGE AND WILL REIMBURSE FOR LABOR AND INSPECTION COSTS. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 7, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT LINK TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-222-6283.
LINK MANUFACTURING, LTDView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Mar 2, 2013

DRIVER HEARD A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. PULLED OVER AND SAW COOLANT DRIPPING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. OPENING THE HOOD HE SAW THE FAN SHROUD WAS BROKEN. AFTER BEING TOWED WE REALIZED THAT THE FAN HAD BROKEN AND PIECES HAD HIT THE SHROUD SHREDDING IT AND SENDING A PIECE INTO THE RADIATOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10501010
Incident
Feb 23, 2013
Mileage
15,904 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 4, 2011

ACCELERATING FROM STOP LIGHT, 5:45 CST, 92 DEGREES/HUMID, 15MPH, 150' INTO INTERSECTION LOUD NOISE. COOLING FAN DISINTEGRATED & TOOK OUT ALL HOSES, RADIATOR & BOTH RADIATOR SHROUDS. CURRENTLY AT DEALER, LOWER RADIATOR HOSE NO LONGER MADE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10417110
Incident
Jul 27, 2011
Mileage
60,200 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 16, 2010

RECENTLY, THE FAN EXPLODED ON MY 2006 CHEVROLET C-4500 AND DESTROYED THE COWLING AROUND THE FAN AND TORE HOLES IN THE RADIATOR AND HOSES INTO THE INTERCOOLER. I WAS PULLING A HEAVY 5TH WHEEL RV. GLAD IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN I WAS CHANGING THE FUEL FILTER A FEW DAYS BEFORE. UPDATED 09/23/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAN BLADE FAILED. THE OUTER RING CAME APART AND DESTROYED THE COWLING AROUND THE FAN AND MADE HOLES IN THE RADIATOR CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK OUT. UPDATED 09/24/10 *TR

NHTSA ID
10355916
Incident
Aug 1, 2010
Mileage
62,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 10, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET C4500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NUTS THAT HOLD THE BEARINGS AND WHEELS TOGETHER, INCLUDING A SPECIAL ONE FOR JUST THE WHEEL. ONE OF THE NUTS IS LOOSE AND MOVES BACK AND FORTH. THE FAILURE CHEWS AWAY AT THE TREAD OF THE SPINDLE THAT HOLDS THE AXLE. IF THE TREAD CONTINUES TO DISINTEGRATE, THE WHEEL COULD FALL OFF. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE HUB THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

NHTSA ID
10273463
Incident
Jun 9, 2009
Mileage
31,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 16, 2008

TRUCK HAS OPTIONAL AIR SUSPENSION SEATS. SEAT RELIES ON COMPRESSOR AND TANK TO BE RAISED OTHERWISE SEAT WILL REMAIN IN LOWEST POSITION. THIS MAY LEAVE DRIVER IN TOO LOW A POSITION TO DRIVE COMFORTABLY AND SEE THE ROAD EFFECTIVELY. TRUCK HAS REPEATEDLY HAD COMPRESSOR, RELAY, PRESSURE SWITCH FAILURES. DEALER HAS REPLACED COMPRESSOR, RELAY, AND PRESSURE SWITCH IN ORDER TO FIX SYSTEM PROBLEMS WHERE COMPRESSOR WHICH RUNS ERRATICALLY, EXCESSIVELY OR NOT AT ALL. LATEST REPAIR INVOLVED REPLACEMENT WITH A SUPPOSEDLY HEAVIER DUTY RELAY. TRUCK IS NOW OUT OF 2 YEAR WARRANTY AND THE COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED AGAIN. MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. THEY WARRANTY REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR 1 YEAR, WHICH IS JUST BEFORE PARTS FAIL THE NEXT TIME. ONCE WARRANTY IS OVER THEY ARE SUPPOSEDLY NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE RATHER THAN FIXING THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL INSTEAD OF "BAND AIDING IT" TEMPORARILY UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. THIS IS A KNOWN FLAW AND IS LISTED AS A "NOTICE" TO CUSTOMERS AS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES REPLACED ONCE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS 1 1/2 YEARS OLD AND NOW 1 YEAR AFTER THAT, NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY HAVE FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS JUST PAST THEIR 1 YEAR PARTS WARRANTY. I AM NOW UNABLE TO OPEN THE PASSENGER WINDOW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10251978
Incident
Mar 1, 2008
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jun 23, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START RIGHT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY, THE DEALER JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN HOME IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AFTER DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS DIFFICULTY APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE. ALSO, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO READ THE APPROPRIATE MILEAGE AND THE GAS GAUGE WENT UP AND DOWN. THE BRAKES HAD TO BE PUMPED TO MAKE THE BRAKES FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS EVEN DOWN SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10160581
Incident
Jun 13, 2006
Mileage
211 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

03-06-01-023H

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet C4500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2010000
2009010
2008000
2007040
2006Viewing630
2005220
2004300
2003510

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.